Scoring runs fuel Roncalli win, 76-61

December 19, 2007

MILLER - When playing Aberdeen Roncalli this season, opponents would be well-served to heed the following warning: extremely explosive, proceed with caution. The Cavaliers used a pair of scoring blitzes to run past Miller 76-61 in a non-conference boys' basketball contest Tuesday night. Roncalli outscored the Rustlers 14-2 in a three-minute span in the second quarter and then added a pivotal 15-4 surge late in the third period to fuel the victory. “What we have to do is make those spurts a little bigger,” said Roncalli coach Todd Neuendorf. The Cavaliers made six three-point field goals in the game and four of those came in the two crucial spurts. “We are going to be a team that is going to have to rely on the outside game,” Neuendorf said. The first spurt allowed Roncalli to break away from a 19-18 lead and build a 33-20 cushion. Four different players contributed to that run. The second surge stemmed a Miller uprising in the second half. The Rustlers had whittled a 15-point deficit down to 46-40 before the Cavaliers regained control for a 61-44 advantage. This time five different players factored into the mix for Roncalli. Neuendorf praised the play of his four seniors, Justin Kline, Spencer Christenson, Max Pfeiffer and Sam Heintzman. “Those guys deserve a lot of credit,” Neuendorf said. “Our four seniors are really taking this young group and leading by example. I'm really proud of the way those seniors are playing.” Kline had his usual steady game, leading the Cavaliers with 23 points. “Justin Kline is phenomenal,” Neuendorf said. “I don't think people realize what an athlete he is.” Logan Wherry contributed 16 points and eight rebounds. He scored the first six points of the game and was able to take advantage of his mobility at the center position. Pfeiffer and Michael Gjernes each added 11 points and Christenson finished with nine. Miller was led by Aaron Zeller with 18 points. Taylor Carr contributed 13 and Grant Rediger had 10 points and nine rebounds. Roncalli, 2-1 on the season, travels to Webster on Thursday to take on the 2-2 Bearcats. “They're a lot better than they were last year,” Neuendorf said. Once again, the Cavaliers will look to find a spark to ignite their explosive offense. ABERDEEN RONCALLI: Max Pfeiffer 3 3-4 11, Justin Kline 8 7-8 23, Logan Wherry 8 0-2 16, Spencer Christenson 4 0-0 8, Michael Gjernes 4 0-2 11, Sam Heintzman 2 0-0 5, Zach Rohlfs 1 0-0 2. Totals 30 10-16 76. MILLER: Grant Rediger 4 2-2 10, Aaron Zeller 7 3-3 18, Taylor Carr 6 1-4 13, Dan Hall 3 0-0 7, Jordan Peterka 1 0-0 2, Austin Auspurger 1 0-0 2, Andrew Auspurger 2 0-0 4, Jordan Knippling 1 0-0 2, Matt Engelmann 1 1-1 3. Totals 26 7-10 61. Aberdeen Roncalli (2-1) 19 38 61 76 Miller (1-3) 18 26 46 61 3-point field goals - Pfeiffer 2, Gjernes 3, Heintzman, Zeller, Hall. Total fouls - Aberdeen Roncalli 12; Miller 16. Rebounds - Aberdeen Roncalli 31 (Wherry 8); Miller 26 (Rediger 9). Turnovers - Aberdeen Roncalli 10; Miller 12. JUNIOR VARSITY ABERDEEN RONCALLI: Leading scorers, Sam Pfeiffer 11, Charlie Drapeaux 6, Micah Hanson 4. Total 33 MILLER: Leading scorers, Jordan Knippling 8, Matt Morog 8, Chad Wieseler 5. Total 28. Aberdeen Roncalli (3-0) 14 21 27 33 Miller (3-1) 3 14 26 28 Total fouls - Aberdeen Roncalli 13; Miller 16. Rebounds - Aberdeen Ronclli 20 (Logan Dosch 5); Miller 30 (Morog 9). Turnovers - Aberdeen Roncalli 12; Miller 19.